Babies to be offered vaccinations against disease which can lead to meningitis

Joel Lamy

Babies in the East of England to be offered vaccination against meningococcal group B (MenB) – a disease which can lead to meningitis.

Public Health England is hailing the start of a new vaccination programme which offers young children protection against MenB disease.

From September 1, the MenB vaccination will be added to the NHS Childhood Immunisation Programme in England to help protect children against this devastating disease which can cause meningitis (an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) which are serious and potentially fatal illnesses.

Babies will be offered the MenB vaccine with the other routine vaccinations at two months, four months and 12-13 months of age.

Vaccinating babies at these times helps protect them when they are most at risk of developing MenB disease.

Infants under one year of age are most at risk of MenB and the number of cases peak at around five or six months of age.

In March 2014, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a national MenB immunisation programme for infants using a three-dose schedule. In March 2015, the programme, using Bexsero® vaccine, was announced.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England said: “This vaccine will help to save lives and prevent permanent disability. Meningococcal B disease can be devastating for babies and young children and it has cut many lives short and left young people disabled.

“The disease develops rapidly and early symptoms in babies and young children can include a high fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting and refusing to feed, agitation, drowsiness or being floppy or unresponsive, grunting or breathing rapidly or having an unusual high-pitched or moaning cry.

“A classic sign is pale, blotchy skin, and a red rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it. Additional symptoms include having a tense, bulging soft spot on their head (fontanelle), having a stiff neck and an aversion to bright lights or having convulsions or seizures.

“We must all remain alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent medical attention if there is any concern as the vaccine does not protect against all types of meningococcal disease.

“Be aware of all signs and symptoms and trust your instincts – don’t wait for a rash to develop before seeking urgent medical attention.”

Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said: “This is a landmark moment.

“Men B can be truly devastating and we know the suffering it can cause to families. Now, in our country, every new baby can get this free vaccine to protect them from this terrible disease.”

Chief executive of Meningitis Research Foundation, Christopher Head, said: “We are delighted the MenB vaccine has been introduced as it has been at the top of this charity’s agenda for many years. We hope this vaccine will save many lives and spare countless families the trauma of seeing a loved one die or become seriously disabled because of MenB.

“This vaccine could potentially prevent up to 4,000 cases of meningococcal disease in children younger than five years in the UK.

“However, we must remind the public that there are still some forms of the disease which are not covered by vaccines so it is vital that people are still aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.”

Chief executive of Meningitis Now, Sue Davie, said: “We’re delighted to reach this milestone and see the vaccination programme protecting our newborn babies in England. This programme will save lives straight away and for years to come. We stand ready to support the roll out in any way we can.”

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